strike at

strike at (someone or something)

1. To direct a blow at someone or something. The boy struck at the bully with his fist. I began striking at the blockage with a metal rod, trying to dislodge it from the pipe.
2. To attempt to impair, disable, or discredit some part or element of something. By cracking down on the opium trade, the task force is hoping to strike the main source of funding for the dictatorship. Their campaign has been striking at the incumbent senator's position on tax reform.
See also: strike
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

strike at someone or something

to hit at or toward someone or something. She struck at him, but he parried the blows. The bear struck at the branch, hoping to break it and get at the honey.
See also: strike
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • strike at (someone or something)
  • pick on
  • pick on (someone or something)
  • mouth breather
  • mouth-breather
  • ram (something) down
  • ram down
  • fling (someone or something) down
  • fling down
  • bully (one) into (something)
References in periodicals archive
The last machinists strike at Boeing was a 69-day walkout in 1995.
Aircraft News September 2005
If the two sides do not reach an agreement, the workers may legally strike at the end of the week.
Company Watch August 2005
Travelers nervous about possible Northwest strike: Some travelers are worried that a possible strike at Northwest Airlines could disrupt their plans.
Company Watch July 2005
Overall industrial production was held down by a strike at a major aircraft manufacturer, which sharply curtailed the output of business equipment.
Industrial production and capacity utilization for October 1995
Without the power to strike at will, labor's clout wilted.
Which Side Are You On? Trying to Be For Labor When It's Flat on Its Back
If accepted the agreement would end a three-week-old strike at seven mills in Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland.
Iroquois Falls let off the hook